This week -- Published Nov. 28, 2013

Thursday

Nov 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM

This 39th annual event is a much earthier option for holiday shopping. In addition to regional crafts, a "North Pole" express train, children's activities and "doggie stockings," there'll be a Christmas parade at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

In an ambitious undertaking, Nicole Howton and her Lodi Musical Theater are staging the full-length version of this 150-minute musical set during the French Revolution. It includes a cast of 65, a 25-voice choir, 12 crew members, a 20-by-10-by-18-foot barricade and a devotion to 19th-century authenticity. "It's super-gritty and super-awful with very sad, sad music," says Howton's daughter, Jenna Kroff, 21, a Galt High School graduate who portrays Fantine. "In the end, it does shed some light on why there was so much awfulness." 1 and 7 p.m.; also 1 and 7 p.m. Fri. Hutchins Street Square, 125 S. Hutchins St. $18-$35. (209) 333-5550.

This is "a live radio play" version of the 1946 Frank Capra movie that's become a holiday season staple. It conjures up the pre-TV era of radio dramas, special effects and all. 2 and 8 p.m.; also 7 p.m. Fri.; 2 p.m. Sun. Sierra Repertory Theatre, 13891 Highway 108, Sonora. $18-$32. (209) 532-3120.

Theater: "A Christmas Carol"

"(It's) nothing but magic," says Joe Toon. "It's a big-time magic show. You have to have these tricks. If you don't have them, you have a small stage production that might fall flat." That's not how he's directing this musical version of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella. It tells the story of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Scott Minor), who undergoes a Christmas Eve transformation when visited by three apparitions. They transport him to the past, present and future, inspiring his empathy for his clerk, Bob Cratchit (Eddie Hargreaves), and Tiny Tim, his crippled son. 2:30 p.m.; also 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Stockton Civic Theatre, 2312 Rosemarie Lane. $15-$25. (209) 473-242

Music :Choir Festival

San Joaquin Delta College students perform selections from Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" as well as other seasonal standards. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Atherton Auditorium, Delta College. $5-$8. (209) 954-5011.

Music: Sheila Raye Charles

A daughter of the iconic R&B/soul singer tells and sings a story of "abuse, crack cocaine and prison" on her "journey to salvation." 6:30 p.m. Tues., First Baptist Church of Lodi, 267 N. Mills Ave., Lodi. Free. (209) 334-1332.

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